i went to law school. , when i got 1980's out of law school and was going around to law firms, even at that point, there were not many women in law firms. people would sit me down and and understand that if we take you into this law firm, you will have to try cases? [laughter] that is what i've wanted to do. i had partners and clients tell me, that was not the team i expected, meaning they did not know there would be a lady lawyer on the case. throughout my career, i have been interested in how to change things for the better, and i have been very fortunate to have lots of opportunities to serve. >> you mentioned your mother. she died when you were -- >> 17. >> and she was such a force in your life. how did that affect you? >> good and bad. it made me very strong, in a way, because it made it clear that i had no one to depend on but me. >> were you the oldest? >> i was the metal. i had two brothers. in that sense, it made me tough at an early age. at the same time, there were a lot of things i wanted to get done in life, and it made me very driven to succeed. >> if you were a man in yo